The True Benefits of Using Liquid Screed

If you are considering renovating your home’s flooring, perhaps you are already overwhelmed by the number of options you have. Nowadays, you will not only choose the type of floor finish, but you also need to think about the sub-floor and which type is most compatible with the flooring material you want.

For many years, the most convenient choice was a sand and cement mix. Unfortunately, this choice has many disadvantages. For instance, it is labour intensive because you will have to mix and apply the blend manually. If the area is large, it will take a significant amount of time to finish. Although you can buy sand and cement premixed or delivered in slabs, there are still many steps involved in the process.

Liquid screed: a better choice than sand and cement

A better alternative would be to use liquid screed. Contractors like liquidscreed.co.uk will deliver the mixture on-site and use a pump for the application. From contacting the supplier until the screed gets delivered and applied, the process is incredibly swift and hassle-free. Liquid screed is also DIY-friendly which means that you need not be an expert to handle the installation and curing.

Underfloor heating compatibility

Since energy-efficient heating systems are popular today, many homeowners are considering the addition of underfloor heating. As such, you need to find the right sub-floor material to produce the best results. Luckily, liquid screed is the perfect solution. Once you pour the screed mix, it coats the heating pipes and does not leave any spaces or bubbles. This characteristic is critical to ensure that the heating appliance performs optimally.

Quick-drying and easy to manipulate

Although liquid screed appears to contain a significant amount of moisture, it dries out pretty quickly compared to other cement mixes. Another excellent characteristic of this type of screeding material is how it can achieve evenness because it flows and coats every corner covering any lump or bump showing in the concrete base. Also, liquid screed does not shrink or curl when applied in the right thickness. As such, you get excellent value for money, and the final floor finish will be high-performing.

Essential considerations when choosing liquid screed

Indeed there are many benefits to using liquid screed over traditional sand and cement. However, there are also critical considerations you need to keep in mind, especially during the application and curing process. Miscalculations can lead to problems, especially when it comes to drying time.

Although the liquid screed layer is ready for floor installation after drying, you still need to prep the surface and check if the surface is free from laitance and other contaminants. There are also different methods of applying liquid screed such as bonded and unbonded. Choosing a method depends on the floor material you are using. Hence, it is vital to consult with an expert contractor during every stage of the construction process. You need to ensure that you are not only following the right steps but have also accounted for all the factors that could impact the floor’s overall performance and quality.

The Cost of LED Light Installation: How Much Should You Pay for Greater Efficiency?

LED lights are very popular thanks to their versatility and efficiency. Light emitting diodes (LED) are a semiconductor that converts electricity into illumination. Some people are reluctant to switch because of the cost and different terminology used when shopping for LEDs. We asked some experts from Connect Electric Adelaide if they could give us some tips on what LED’s to pick and how much you can expect to pay.

Choosing Your LED Bulbs

Instead of watts, LEDs work in lumens. Less wattage is required, so you won’t be searching for a 100w LED light. The equivalent in lumens will appear much smaller.

For example, a 40W incandescent bulb is equal to a 6W LED bulb, which is approximately 450 lumens of light output. A 10W LED generates 1,000 lumens, which is the same as a 75W incandescent bulb. And a 25W LED produces 2,500 lumens, which is the same as a 150W incandescent light.

There are also several colour options available. Most LED bulbs are available in warm white, cool white, or natural.

The Cost of LED Lights

The initial cost of an LED is higher than that of the average incandescent bulb. It may seem counterintuitive from a money-saving standpoint. However, you must look beyond the initial purchase.

LED bulbs have a very long lifespan, with some products surviving over 35,000 hours. They are also 85% cheaper to use compared to incandescent bulbs. They generate less heat, which means that your home’s cooling system won’t have to consume as much energy to maintain comfortable temperatures.

If you plan to retrofit your old bulbs with LEDs, then the cost will vary based on the wattage/lumens and type of product you plan to use. A 5.3W LED costs over $7 while a 5.5W is almost $12. A standard 10W LED globe replacement will cost between $12 and $18.

You can also choose LED bulbs with smart technology that can change colour on demand. These can run upwards of $50 to $80, depending on brand, quantity, and features.

Are LED Lights Worth the Cost?

According to ThinkProgress the average price of an LED bulb has dropped by over 85% in recent years and the number of instillations have skyrocketed. There’s also the long-term cost of operation to consider.

A high-quality LED bulb costs approximately $4 per year to run. It would take five or more incandescent bulb replacements to equal the lifespan of one LED.

LED lights are also cheaper to run compared to halogen bulbs. You’ll spend over $250 more in operation costs and replacements to run halogen bulbs compared to the price of LEDs.

The savings increase when you apply the replacement and running costs to your entire household. The average home has around 37 lights. When you multiply the savings, it’s easy to see why LEDs are so appealing.

Now is a great time to start switching to LED bulbs. If you can’t afford to switch all your lights, then start with one or two at a time. Convert to LEDs as your old bulbs burn out. There aredifferent brightness levels to choose from as well as colours that can keep your home well-lit and comfortable.

An ultimate guide to portable storage units

Portable storage units are blessings in plain sight. These are extremely large sturdy containers that allow you to store your personal belongings for the desired amount of time. These portable storage units can then be kept on your property or moved elsewhere based on your requirements.

What does the process of using a portable storage unit entail?

There are several unanswered questions regarding the use of portable storage units. What is the ideal size of the unit required? What are the criteria for renting them? How do you move these storage units? Do they add to your hassle of moving out or do they help in the process?

Here's the ultimate guide that would answer most of these questions and help you to maximize the utility of these portable storage units.

Portable storage units or Self-storage facility

You might face the dilemma while selecting the kind of storage service you want to opt for. While both options have pros and cons choosing a portable storage unit as the way to go ahead would save you time as you will not have to drive to the storage facility and also allow you to have 24/7 access to your belongings which isn’t offered by most storage facilities having the self-storage option. Portable storage units also allow you to load the objects at ground level which is a much more convenient option than loading heavy objects on elevated moving trucks.

Decide the size of the container

Once you figure out that you are proceeding with portable storage units, you need to decide the size of the units as per your requirement. This decision should be based on the number of belongings you need to store and the area available in your backyard if you plan on keeping the unit on your property for a long time. You have options to choose from a unit sized from 5’x5’ to one sized 10’x 30’. You can personalize the dimensions as per your requirements.

Ask for additional features

It is advised to inquire whether the portable storage units have amenities like climate control and also if they are waterproof. A climate-controlled unit will regulate the temperature and humidity which is necessary while storing materials like pieces of fine art or books to prevent molding. It also helps when expensive clothes or electrical appliances are kept in the storage unit as it will protect the objects from mildew or any such climatic effects depending on your geographic location.

Check the business-oriented features

If you are running a business that requires an extra long term lease for renting the portable storage unit, be sure you compare the prices between several facilities and choose the one that appears most feasible. Businesses like small restaurant owners can benefit immensely by using a storage unit as it would create more space to seat diners and also maintain the aesthetics of the place. The portability of the unit can also be useful on construction sites as it gives an opportunity to keep the heavy instruments safe throughout the period of the project and easily transfer them to new sites.

Availability of portable storage units in your locality

It is best to check whether the storage units are available on the days you desire and can be delivered to your doorstep on the same day if required. You can find these details through several online portals or by calling the storage facilities. This ensures that your process of moving, redecorating or smoothly decluttering starts because of the timely arrival of the storage units.

At last - Select the provider carefully

Once you have figured out all the details about the portable storage unit that you will require, pre-book the storage unit well in advance. List all the items that need to be stored and create a checklist so that you have an organized mindset throughout the hectic process. Also, be sure to check if there are any cancellation charges applied in case you need to reschedule the booking or cancel it altogether. Always choose the provider who offers the maximum sense of security, flexibility in terms of services and easy access.

4 Things That You Need for Your Family Home

As appealing it is to immediately buy a house for sale in Cabanatuan, you should still consider the many other things that you might need to furnish that family home. You can go a minimalist route, or just fill it up with whatever you want. Just make sure that you have your essentials at the ready.

For budding homeowners that aren’t exactly sure what things you need, here’s a short list that you can use for reference!

Beds

It’s common sense that every family home should have a bed or two. Although you still can sleep on the couch, the bed is the most comfortable option you have. Bear in mind that there are other homes that don’t have a bed and that’s okay.

However, it might be in your best interest to get a bed and a bed frame to be as comfortable as can be.

Kitchen Appliances

This goes without saying. You can’t really call a place without any way of cooking a home—since you’ll be spending a ton in buying food or getting them delivered to you. Among the kitchen appliances that you need to have is a refrigerator, a stove, and a microwave. That should be enough for a new family. You have the refrigerator for storage, stove for cooking, and the microwave for heating leftovers!

Of course, paired with kitchen appliances are plates and utensils. Which everyone should have since its what you will use to cook and eat.

Tables and Chairs

They don’t need to be the fancy kind. Just the most durable ones you can get. Be extra particular with the table that you get. It should be just right for your home. Be it a round table or a rectangular one. Make sure that it can fit the whole family so that you can all eat dinner together in the dining room!

Of course, you should pair that with some comfortable chairs. Dining chairs should be simple and match the table and dining decorations. That being said, you could also consider getting mono-block chairs so that you can use it anywhere in your home!

An Internet Connection

Though you can get internet through the data that you have on your phone, it wouldn’t harm you to get an internet connection dedicated to your home, the vast majority of things nowadays can be accessed on the Internet. It can be used by you and your kids for educational purposes, or simple entertainment.

It also provides a great stable way of communicating with people around the world, unlike a hotline that would only let you call within the country at varying costs.

Key Takeaway

At the end of the day, a home is a shelter. It’s somewhere you should feel comfortable enough to sleep tightly at night. That being said, even though there are so many machines, equipment, and toys that seem to be important for every home, you can actually boil it down to your bed, your kitchen, and dining room, and an Internet connection. With this as your bare minimum, we can assure you that you’ll be fine and comfortable within your new home!